The New Maki Oh Collection Brought Sensuality and Yoruba Tradition to New York Fashion Week
Amaka Osakwe's latest Maki Oh Fall 2018 collection Ala Kobe, which translates to "someone that gets you into trouble," brought the flare and sexiness New York Fashion Week needed.
She opened the show with a full-body coat, made of "Adire" fabric—the signature dyed, indigo cloth crafted by Yoruba people in the southwestern part of the country—alluding to the very essence of her brand.
The Nigerian designer presented subtle but sensual pieces that illustrated mystery, sophistication, and elegance with details ranging from intricate lace fabric, to open necklines, and shimmering, yet muted colors of Fall.
Asawa experimented with hair, scarves, and makeup to add more dimension to each looks—much like the layers commonly worn in of Fall. Her collection makes it clear that sexiness doesn't have to be overt, it can be as simple as a quarter length white lace dress with a shimmy on the inside—after all, lingerie isn't only for intimate settings. As the "lazy sensual"pieces fully unfolded throughout the show, it was clear that Osakwe is a woman who likes to play—and that, is precisely why her designs are globally known.
Maki Oh is a womenswear brand which fuses traditional African techniques with detailed, contemporary construction. Founded by Maki Osakwe in 2010, the Maki Oh design ethos challenges prevailing notions of beauty and explores cultural norms through a womanist lens.
The brand is centered in a strong sense of identity and culture, creating narrative pieces that function as direct channels of communication. The Maki Oh vision extends beyond physical beauty into a textured, layered, and three-dimensional aesthetic, embodying the philosophies of sustainability, preservation, strength and complex simplicity.
Maki Oh has been seen on style icons like Mrs. Michelle Obama, Lupita Nyong'o, and Solange Knowles. Other Leelee Sobieski,Alek Wek, Thandie Newton, Azaelia Banks and more.
The brand has shown during New York Fashion Week and has been featured in a number of major publications including Vogue, Elle, the New York Times, The WallStreet Journal, W Magazine and several other publications.
View more pieces from Maki Oh's latest collection below.
Check out more Nigerian street style photos at Lagos Fashion Week 2019 here.
Image courtesy of Maki Oh
Image courtesy of Maki Oh
Image courtesy of Maki Oh
Image courtesy of Maki Oh
Image courtesy of Maki Oh
Image courtesy of Maki Oh
Image courtesy of Maki Oh
Image courtesy of Maki Oh
Image courtesy of Maki Oh
Image courtesy of Maki Oh
Image courtesy of Maki Oh
Image courtesy of Maki Oh
Image courtesy of Maki Oh
Image courtesy of Maki Oh
Image courtesy of Maki Oh
Image courtesy of Maki Oh